Thinking about applying for Iowa Non-Resident Archery Tag. What do I need to know

My brother-in-law and I are thinking about applying for a non-resident Iowa archery tag. Neither of us have ever applied for an out of state tag, so it all seems a little overwhelming. I know being drawn in the first season is a long shot. We will be applying for Zone 4 as we will have access to some private land in that zone. I've been poking around on their site and think I have a basic grasp.

Application date May 6th-June 4th (We will be applying)
Are you able to buy a preference points in addition to the application the first year?

Looks like we have to purchase the deer tag $426, a hunting license $112 and a Habitat fee $13 in addition to any preference points purchased $50. Does this sound right?

What else am I missing, and what else do I need to know. They could make this a little more complicated I guess. Maybe that's why we have so many non-resident deer hunters in Missouri.....

 

Don't quote me but I believe if you purchase the tag and don't get drawn you get refunded everything but the preference point cost. Then you would have 1 point. Ask Tom he would know!

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This is my understanding as well (Tom) Monsterraxx should be able to confirm if not any other here as well...bought my first pref point this year. Probably not going to apply for actual drawing till 2019 when I should be nearly a sure thing and can try to line some properties up either private or public.

 

Yes if you apply for lic. And don't get drawn, they refund minus the point fee. You get 1 point then.

 

Wow I cant believe it costs that much. Here in Wisconsin out of state tags are basically given away. Iowa does it right.

 

And we make out of staters buy a doe tag as well.

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Now on the doe tag. Do you have to shoot a doe to earn your buck tag?

 

Nope just have to buy the $100+ doe tag.

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Ok thanks.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the Buck tag comes with an antlerless tag for the $426 fee. Does that sound right?

 

I don't believe so. Let me look.

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You may be right on that one actually. If I'm reading it correctly it is 2 for the price of one. Good thing I just go to Wal-Mart and tell them what I want lol.

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It may take four to five years to draw the tag.

 

I think I will save my money and hunt the Hoosier State.

 

Fletch you no doubt know...I've heard by year three it is more likely, year 4 almost guaranteed...is it like Kansas though that it is zone dependent? Obviously some areas are in demand more than others.

 

I am happy WI does it that way now.... Got some property and hope to hunt it a little bit in 2018!

 

It is.

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Possibly, I've heard around 3 years but I'm sure it can take longer. We both plan on applying and if one of us gets drawn then the other will film. We live less than an hour from the state line, so we might as well get it a shot. His grandparents actually own a 40 that is on the Iowa line. Literally, north of the road is Iowa, south is Missouri. That's where I killed my first deer ever. We used to have access to a really nice spot just down the road, but lost that because his uncles a jerk.

 

I believe it is. Seems like a much higher demand in Zone 4 and 5 than other areas of the state. Which is where we need to be.

 

Sky if you both get drawn and I don't...if able I'll film (not even joking)